Dilemma due to high UPS shipping rates!

[CliffH]

For comparison, I just shipped a revolver from TX to FL via UPS with $500 insurance. Total was ~$65.00.

FWIW, I contacted 3 semi-local gun shops re: shipping it for me. All of them said I'd have to ship it myself through UPS, none of them would ship it.

As others have said, he quoted a price for shipping and didn't get your approval before increasing the price. His mistake, not yours.

 

[GarandOwner]

Shipping charges are drastically lower when they are shipped from an account rather than individual. (When I was in college my dad use to fed ex me overnight packages because it was so cheap using a company account and then reimburse the company) In the original story it seems like he was trying to get you to pay a higher price by "Oh there are two other interested partys, is your offer higher than $xxx" you say no thanks then all of a sudden "Oh the other guy backed out ill take your offer" and now he wants more for shipping, if it were me I would say that the agreed upon price is the most you are willing, and can afford to spend, also say that since he shipped it without consulting you on the price first rather than exploring other options it is his error and you sadly can not reimburse him for the cost.

 

[goon]

I made that mistake shipping a sword to Hawaii.
The shipping was more than I thought it would be and it was my fault for not finding out up front.
I ate the cost.

Your seller is at fault here. He quoted you a price, money was exchanged, and the gun is now on its way to you.
I'd tell him "sorry buddy, but we had a deal and it's over", pick up your gun at your FFL, and go on about my life.

Also, did you actually buy it in an auction?
If not, he's even tapdancing around paying for the service of the auction site by working private deals on his own and using their site to do the legwork for him.
Not so ethical IMO.
Get your gun and tell him to stuff his extra shipping costs.
Or better yet, get your gun and then ignore him.

 

[GarandOwner]

Also for us nosy internet types, let us know how this one turns out. Hopefully you took the advise here and didnt shell out the extra dough. But Im interested to hear what the sellers response will be

 

[WhisperFan]

I had the same thing occur in reverse.

I quoted low, had never shipped a handgun before and paid about 45.00 more in costs than I figured in.

The buyer and I had emailed quite a bit, so I emailed to tell him it was on the way and provide the tracking number. I mentioned that the package had better be on time, because it cost so much more than I had figured. I told him a deal was a deal and I didn't expect him to pay anything for my mistake, but to let me know if the package wasn't on time, so maybe I could try to get some $ back from the shipping company ..... (kinda like a PizzaHut pizza)

The guy emailed the next day - package arrived on time, gun was great looking and he thanked me .... that was it.

4 days later an envelope arrived with 30 bucks in it that I hadn't asked for.

Needless to say, I was thrilled. It is experiences like this that always make me think that, for the most part, gun people are good people !!!

 

[mgkdrgn]

I hope you are an FFL ... or that both of you live in the same state.

 

[4xfourfun]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I haven't replied to his e-mail as of yet so I know he is probably beginning to get curious because I normally e-mail him back fairly quick. I just wanted to think about a fair level-headed response first. I'm on shift today or I would go pick it up. I should have it in my hands tomorrow if everything goes right. My dealer said it looks pretty darn good though, but I could tell that by the pictures and his detailed description.

mgkdrgn : No, neither of us are FFL's and we are a couple states apart. Thats why he shipped it via UPS Next Day Air and he sent it to my FFL where I am going to pick it up. If he was a FFL I would hope he would have used USPS and saved $100!

I had actually looked at another Colt Anaconda on Auction Arms that was pretty tempting. The seller was a FFL dealer that was new to the site with only a couple of sales. They said seller was to pay actual shipping cost but didn't state how. I e-mailed them for a price and they stated that they have a service that packages and ships all their firearms via UPS at a cost around $65. I thought that was a little shady, they could at least put in their auction listing a note saying as such. It just goes to show you better find out what these places plan to charge you before you bid or commit to buy.

I'll be sure to let you all know how it turns out, along with a picture of the merchandise to see if the trouble was all worth it.

 

[mgkdrgn]

"mgkdrgn : No, neither of us are FFL's and we are a couple states apart. Thats why he shipped it via UPS Next Day Air and he sent it to my FFL where I am going to pick it up. If he was a FFL I would hope he would have used USPS and saved $100!"

Whew, that's better. Pity he didn't have a friendly FFL to take it that would deal with the shipping for you.

 

[Griz44]

I ship handguns via USPS, with insurance it will cost about 21.00 for 3 day delivery. He made his deal, he needs to live with it. As a personal and professional seller, I would NEVER ask a customer for more money after the deal is done and the payment is made. Not a dime more my friend.